Father Pulls Daughter’s $12,000-a-Month Google Internship, Sparks Outrage Online

In a story that has quickly gone viral, a European businessman has come under fire for asking Google’s HR department to withdraw his daughter’s $12,000-a-month internship offer, a decision that has left his daughter angry and a social media storm in its wake. The incident, shared on X.com by Borzou Daragahi and other commentators, has reignited debates about parental control, ambition, and the role of opportunity in shaping young careers.

According to accounts circulating online, the businessman’s daughter had been offered a highly coveted internship at Google, widely regarded as one of the top technology companies in the world. The internship, with a reported salary of $12,000 per month, represented a chance for a young professional to gain experience at one of the world’s most influential companies. Yet, the father reportedly intervened, contacting Google’s human resources team to have the offer withdrawn. When asked by his daughter why he did it, she recalls him telling her, “Withdraw the offer immediately.”

The daughter, reportedly in her early twenties, only discovered the full extent of her father’s interference three days later. Since that moment, according to the online thread, she has not spoken to him. The father, meanwhile, has defended his actions by claiming he had already submitted her résumé to Siemens and SAP, other multinational technology companies, which he says are “much bigger than Google.” He further argued that in the long term, she would thank him for guiding her career toward what he considers more prestigious or valuable opportunities.

Social media reactions have been swift and polarized. Borzou Daragahi, a journalist and commentator, described the father’s behavior as “awful” and “stalker-like,” accusing him of sabotaging his daughter’s career out of jealousy. “She should disown you,” he wrote, capturing the outrage felt by many who see the father’s actions as a violation of personal and professional boundaries. Another commentator, Matthias Schmidt, weighed in with a controversial take, claiming, “Work for an American company is not a career, but a prostitution,” a comment that reflects a broader European skepticism toward U.S.-based corporate culture but only added fuel to the debate.

The incident raises larger questions about parental influence and autonomy. While many parents guide their children’s decisions, particularly in early adulthood, the act of intervening in a professional opportunity is unusual and, in many eyes, ethically questionable. For young adults entering the workforce, internships are often critical stepping stones to long-term career growth, and interfering in that process can have lasting effects on trust and family dynamics.

Experts in career development emphasize that internships are not just about salary—they are opportunities to learn, network, and build a professional reputation. Google, in particular, is known for providing interns with hands-on experience on high-impact projects, mentorship, and a path toward future employment. Pulling a promising opportunity, even in favor of another company, can disrupt a young professional’s trajectory. While Siemens and SAP are indeed global leaders in technology and engineering, the decision removes agency from the individual most affected—the daughter herself.

Psychologists who have weighed in on similar cases point to the potential for long-term relational damage. “When parents make unilateral decisions about their adult children’s careers, it can erode trust and create resentment,” says Dr. Anna Kovacs, a clinical psychologist specializing in family dynamics. “Even if the parent believes they are acting in the child’s best interest, the perception of control can feel like betrayal. Rebuilding that trust can take years.”

The father, however, has framed his actions as strategic. In a statement reportedly shared on social media, he emphasized that his daughter’s résumé was already being considered by multinational firms that he believes offer greater prestige, career stability, and long-term growth. He insists that his intervention is motivated by foresight rather than control. “She’ll thank me when she’s older,” he said, reflecting a mindset that prioritizes perceived career value over immediate choice.

Despite this reasoning, many observers have criticized the paternalistic approach. In online discussions, some argue that career decisions are deeply personal and that parents—even those with expertise or connections—should offer guidance without coercion. Others have pointed to cultural factors, noting that in some European and Asian contexts, parental influence in career decisions is more common, though it still remains contentious in the era of globalized, individualistic work cultures.

The public reaction has ranged from outrage to bemusement. On X.com, threads discussing the case have drawn thousands of comments, with some users debating the merits of European versus American corporate culture, while others focus squarely on the father-daughter relationship. “This isn’t about which company is better,” wrote one commentator. “It’s about respecting your child’s autonomy.” Another sarcastically quipped, “Imagine getting a $12,000/month internship and your dad cancels it because he thinks he knows better—classic.”

In addition to social media debates, career advisors and industry experts have weighed in. Some suggest that while Siemens and SAP are undeniably impressive, young professionals gain unique experiences and visibility by working at companies like Google. Interns at Google often work on cutting-edge projects, interact with global teams, and develop skills that can significantly boost future employability. Canceling such an opportunity could mean missing out on experiences that are difficult to replicate elsewhere.

The story also touches on generational tensions. Parents who built careers in certain industries may have traditional views about what constitutes prestige and stability, whereas younger adults may prioritize innovation, exposure, or cultural fit. This clash can create conflict, especially when a parent’s intervention removes choice. While the father believes he is guiding his daughter to the “right” path, the perception of interference has already caused a significant rift.

For the daughter, the emotional fallout appears immediate. Social media posts suggest she has not spoken to her father since learning the truth. Experts suggest that in situations like this, open communication, validation of feelings, and professional counseling may help repair the relationship. At the same time, the incident serves as a cautionary tale for parents navigating the fine line between guidance and control.

The viral nature of the story underscores a broader societal fascination with parental influence and career decisions. In an age when internships and first jobs are increasingly publicized and discussed online, stories of interference or sabotage generate strong reactions. Users weigh the ethics of parental involvement, the relative value of different companies, and the importance of autonomy, often projecting their own experiences onto the debate.

Ultimately, the situation raises questions that go beyond any single internship. What responsibilities do parents have to guide versus control? How should young professionals navigate advice from family members while asserting their own agency? And what is the true measure of career success in a world where opportunity and prestige are constantly evolving? The answers are not simple, but cases like this spark important conversations about ambition, family dynamics, and respect for personal choice.

As of now, the daughter’s next steps remain private, but the online discussion continues to evolve. Whether she eventually reconciles with her father, pursues other opportunities, or reflects on the incident with hindsight, the story serves as a vivid example of the complex interplay between family, opportunity, and personal ambition. It also serves as a warning: even well-intentioned actions can have profound consequences when they overstep boundaries, particularly in the formative early years of a professional career.

For now, the father stands by his decision, confident that history will vindicate him, while the daughter—and the wider online audience—grapples with the implications of a single, controversial act that has reignited conversations about trust, autonomy, and the meaning of success in the modern workplace.